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“He has obviously run the lineout last week and is going to do the same this week. I am happy to play that supporting role, particularly when someone is flourishing like he is in the game and this team.”

There were some who questioned Jones’ position in the second row both before and after the first Test and even following the second, despite his big abrasive display at the Westpac Stadium.

“It’s funny. You get selected and you don’t realise how many selectors there are in the world,” he said.

“Fortunately I was given another opportunity and Saturday is going to be another opportunity again to pull on the red jersey of the Lions.”

Asked how aware he was of social media chat about his place in the team, Jones replied:

“What’s social media?”

Pressed on the strong opinions some have expressed about his selection, he said: “That’s anti-social media!

“You do get a bit of it, but it’s par for the course. You can’t put yourself on those streams of media if you can’t take the rough with the smooth. People are entitled to their opinion.”

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There is clearly great strength in depth at lock in the Lions group, with Courtney Lawes on the bench for the decider and Iain Henderson not even in the 23 despite having had such a fine tour.

On that competition, Jones said: “It’s like a race I guess.

“If you get given the baton, you’ve got to make sure you stay out in front.

“There are always going to be questions asked when there is competition. As long as you can answer those questions, then you are deserving of a place.

“You are not going to please everyone, but it’s not about pleasing people, it’s about winning rugby games. Hopefully we can do that.”

Reflecting on an unchanged team, Jones continued: “As Gats has alluded to, there’s a reward for a performance last time.

“It worked in the last game, we’ve got to make sure it works in the next one.

“We know the quality of player in the squad, so to be in the 23 we are a fortunate group and we know what we represent, the people in the squad, the staff, but also all the fans that have come to support us.

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“The players are quite aware of the support. I went for a coffee in Wellington and I didn’t realise how busy it was going to be pre-game.

“It was a bit of a shock, but a nice shock to have. It’s been incredible, looking out from your hotel room and seeing dots of red all across the cities we have been at.

“It’s been great, so hopefully we can continue the positive theme and give them something to go home with.

“There’s a bit of bite in the squad. There was similarly in the week of that final Lions Test in Australia four years ago. When you play in big games for club and country the edge does get a bit sharper for players and that’s what you need.”

Jones will become the most capped Lions player of the professional era at Eden Park when he plays in his nine consecutive Test over three tours.

But he was typically quick to play down this personal career landmark.

“It’s just another game of rugby. You are only as good as your next one, not your previous, so I’ll focus on the next one and not the ones that have gone,” said the 31-year-old.

“I am in the middle of it now. I will enjoy it, but it’s not a time to reflect because nothing has really been achieved yet. There are still opportunities to fall at a final hurdle. So I will just focus on the game and being part of the team.

“Clearly there’s a lot at stake, with a lot of people out here and that’s very obvious to all. But we’ve got a job to do for the 80 minutes.”